Dominique Xavio Imbabazi is an engineer based in Musanze District who makes manure and earns a living using red worms.
After writing his undergraduate dissertation on vermicompost, the graduate of the University of Rwanda’s College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine had an idea of making quality organic fertilizers.
This is something that he wanted to focus on in order to improve Rwanda’s agriculture.
He set up his company called ‘Golden Insect Ltd’ in 2016. All he started with was a pit latrine where he bred the worms in fecal.
Imbabazi explains that vermicomposting is done by holding bio-waste to release heat for two to three weeks, and by adding worms which decompose it in less than three months.
Vermicompost is made up of water-soluble nutrients and is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner that is used in sustainable organic farming and small scale farming.
The engineer notes that vermicomposting is an environmentally friendly biotechnology which uses earthworms to manage bio-waste and transform it into organic fertilizer (vermicomposting) of high quality.
He says the worms come from latrines and it’s not every worm species (it’s only the scientifically known red worms called Eusenia Foetida).
Imbabazi points out that these latrines are of a one-meter square vault (septic tank) that 10 or so people use every day without emptying for 10 years. After emptying the latrine, the fecal waste is used as pathogen-free fertilizer.
He says the reason he uses red worms is because they have a high rate of reproduction, they ‘re heavy feeders and they can withstand disturbance and live anywhere.
Also, the engineer stresses that vermicompost is rich in macro and microelements required to grow the crops.
He wraps and sells the vermicompost as well as the worms to farmers. One ton of vermicompost costs Rwf300,000, and one kilogram of worms goes for Rwf40, 000.
He adds that they sell worm compost (castings) at Rwf 200 per kilo. Worm castings are more than any other fertilizer the best way to guarantee that your plants can grow to their maximum potential.
“For those who would like to start their own worm farm, becoming self-sustaining by reducing food waste while concurrently cumulating plant yields, I can offer them key solutions for all sizes of production. This includes providing the worms and the equipment to house them and harvest castings,” Imbabazi states.
He also states that his company assists in researching and developing the use of black soldier flies (and particularly their larvae) to transform biohazardous waste into a fully safe fertilizer for farmers.
Imbabazi carries on that vermicompost is important because it keeps the environment safe, increases soil fertility at low cost, and enriches soil physical, chemical , and biological properties.
He states with vermicompost that the soil’s catchment capacity is improved but it is also environmentally friendly.
Because the compost goes through the worms’ body, it is supplemented by bacteria and microbes. These help plants become more resistant to disease, and resist some plant pests as well, he says.
“We have extensive experience in breeding utilizing scientific principles. We have conducted research on insects’ needs for development and implemented a corresponding proper business model,” Imbabazi says.
The engineer also carries out professional consulting and implementing services on, for example, insect breeding training, biowaste processing solutions.
His company also focuses on breeding various tiny insect species such as earthworms, black soldier flies, and grasshoppers.
“We accentuate the conservation of these insects and their significance in bio-waste management and sanitation, environmental protection, animal feed production, climate change mitigation, and sustainable agriculture promotion,” he added
The ‘agriprenuer’ also produces a liquid fertilizer (worm tea) used as fertilizer, organic pesticide, and bio-stimulant for plants.
He points out that some of the challenges he faces include a lack of capital enough to expand his business, a lack of sufficient land.
Imbabazi looks forward to promoting environmentally friendly management of bio-waste, using integrated techniques. This includes a focus on providing quality chicken and fish feed.
